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Info Eduard - July 2010
R2 or R8?
At the end of 1944, the Sturmgruppen were to be
equipped with aircraft modified to the R8 standard,
incorporating changes based on combat experience with
the R2, but, naturally, their actual use in their intended
role is highly debatable. These aircraft reached units
at a time when the character of the Sturmgruppen was
reverting back to those of standard fighter units. R2s are
often erroneously reported as being R8s in reference
literature, and generally, differences described between
the R2 and the R8 are filled with errors.
The armament of the R8 was composed of, similarly
to the R2, an installation of 20 and 30mm cannon. This
modification lacked the side armor, as well as on the
canopy. Simply put, the armor was deemed too restrictive.
To the contrary, though, the interior armor plating between
the engine and cockpit was strengthened, as was at the
pilot’s back. Also strengthened in the R8 was the armor
protection of the oil tank and cooler. Externally, there
was little to distinguish the A-8/R8 from a standard A-8.
One physical difference was the 30mm’s shorter and
slightly wider cannon muzzle, and the 30mm casing
ejector chutes on the bottom surface of the wings.
Aircraft built to R8 standard were manufactured
at Norddeutsche Dornier-Werke GmbH in Wismar,
where some 550 units were produced between October,
1944 and January 1945.
Don’t Shoot Until You See the Whites
of the Tail Gunner’s Eyes
There is a controversial discussion going on based
on current research with respect to the characteristic
air under which Sturmgruppen were sent on missions,
weather these were fully voluntary (capable of shooting
down and eventually ramming enemy aircraft at all costs,
even that of the pilot’s own life), or were they flown by
pilots with threatened punishment, for whatever reason,
worse than flying a Sturmbock mission. Such assertions
give rise to assumptions that the Sturmgruppen were
piloted partly by unfavoured pilots and partly by a band of
adventurers sinking in doom within the duty of dangerous
attacks against American four engined bombers.
The opposite is true. Sturmgruppe, as with other
air force units, relied on discipline, responsibility,
adhering to precise rules of engagement, and
teamwork for maximum success and survivability.
Enthusiasm for combat and ‘getting the enemy at all
costs’ was evident during the start of operations by
Sturmstaffel 1. This spirit was, however, gradually
degraded and replaced by more of a legend rising
above the Sturmgruppen for the remainder of their
careers defending the Reich. Recruitment of new
pilots, especially later on, also became somewhat
prosaic. For example, pilots, that through July and
August formed the basis of II.(Sturm)/JG 4, came
from three main elements:
- pilots that came with Hans-Günter von Konatzki
from Sturmstaffel 1
- former members of I./ZG 1, out of which
II.(Sturm)/JG 4 officially formed
- new pilots out of flight school
Recruitment of new Sturmjäger was the same in the
summer of 1944 as other Luftwaffe units.
A touch of fanaticism, bloodshot eyes and clenched
teeth, hurtling towards bomber formations doesn’t
accurately depict the typical Sturmjäger. However, one
shouldn’t downplay the legend, either. These boys had
to be very capable and determined pilots, especially
those that survived their first several sorties. To get to
within a couple of tens of meters of a formation of four
engined heavy bombers before being able to effectively
unload their 20 and 30mm high explosive rounds, and
often maneuver between their targets to get back out,
took guts. And then, after all that, high-tail it outa there
in a big hurry because odds were, there was a Mustang
somewhere behind, and the Sturmjäger didn’t have much
to compete with in that scenario.
Close contact with the enemy was a fundamental fact
of life for Sturmbock pilot. Due to the aforementioned
weaponry carried, getting close was essential. So, the
rule of thumb for these pilots was not to fire until you
could see the whites of the tail gunner’s eyes. Proof of
how seriously this was taken came in the form of the
whites of eyes being painted on the left side of the chests
of their flight jackets. In this, the legend of the Sturmjäger
is accurate and intact.
The Sturmbock in the Eyes of the Modeler.
From a modeling point of view, some of the well
documented interior modifications to the Sturmbock are
negligible. Others are, simply put, essential for making
recognition of the Sturmbock easy at first site.
Among the essential features is the side armor and
the absence of the fuselage guns. After that, the most
obvious feature are the armor glass plates on the canopy,
and the characteristic short 30mm MK 108 cannon
muzzles in the wings.
Most notably, the 30mm armored glasses on the
canopy are physically characteristic of the Sturmbock,
although the usual ‘but…’ applies. I said, that these
were characteristic, but for specific timeframes. Through
1/48th scale model of the Fw 190A-8/R2 from Eduard in the markings of Hptm.
Wilhelm Moritz. These markings were included in the Royal Class (R0004)
edition of the kit, and is also included in the Weekend Edition released in July,
2010. (Model built by Josef Choren)
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HISTORY